By Frank Warren

MATTHEW HATTON gets the chance tonight to become one of Britain's most unlikely world champions when he fights Saul Alvarez in California.

When Hatton turned professional 10 years ago, he was in the shadow of brother Ricky and most people felt Ricky had most of the talent in the family.

Matthew has plugged away, though, and his reward is a crack at the WBC light-middleweight title.

Ricky got his world-title shot at home against a great in Kostya Tszyu but one who was there to be beaten. But Matthew has to box as the away man against one of the hottest prospects in US boxing.

Alvarez, 20, comes from Mexico. He is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya and has been touted as a rising star.

A pro since he was 15, he has won 35 fights and has 28 stoppages. As they say in Mexico, he looks a tough hombre.

When the fight was made, it was apparently agreed Alvarez would weigh in four pounds inside the light-middleweight limit. That was to give Hatton more of a chance, because he is a natural welterweight.

This week though there was an almighty row over what weight Alvarez would hit the scales at, which continued last night.

Ricky has been unhappy all week. saying: "Our contract with Golden Boy Promotions stipulated both fighters come in at or under 150lbs.

"Matthew is already giving away weight to a bigger man."

When I promoted Matthew he once won a minor light-middle-weight title, but he has been a welterweight for years.

And he only has to ask his older brother about how hard it is to go up in weight at world level.

If Alvarez is half the fighter they say he is, Hatton's in trouble.

He's an honest fighter who deserves a slice of luck.

But this fight is all about making Alvarez look good - and it will be a major upset if Hatton wins.

EUROPEAN lightweight champion John Murray makes a second defence of his title on April 2 at York Hall in East London.

Spain's Karim El Ouazghari is in the opposite corner - if Murray looks good, he will be close to getting a world title shot.

John recently joined my team and he has been great to work with.

He wanted to fight Kevin Mitchell, and when that didn't happen told me he would fight whoever I put in front of him.

HATFIELD traveller Billy Joe Saunders is in talks with TV producers for a reality series based on his life in and out of the ring.

The Olympian has recovered from hand surgery and will fight again on April 2.

DAVID HAYE says that Wladimir Klitschko is close to agreeing a date on July 2 for their world heavyweight title unification fight.

But Dereck Chisora gets first crack at Klitschko. Don't count your chickens . . .

SAY what you like about Ashley Cole . . . but once a Gunner, always a gunner!